Noted for his burly appearance, Ward Bond acted in well over a hundred films throughout his career. Some of his best-remembered roles include Captain Clayton in The Searchers, Pat Wheeler in Rio Bravo, Father Peter Lonergan in The Quiet Man and Bert in It’s a Wonderful Life.
Not only was he active in Hollywood, but he also worked on many television series such as The Silver Theatre, Star Stage, Wagon Train, Cavalcade of America and The Christophers. By the time he passed away in 1960, he had nearly 300 acting credits to his name.Â
How wealthy was the American actor? How lucrative was his career in the ’30s and ’40s? How much did he make from his film roles? According to sources, Ward Bond had a net worth of $56 million at the time of his death. What contributed the most to his overall income? We’ll be addressing this question below.
Ward Bond’s Net Worth 2018 – $56 Million
How did Ward Bond Make His Money & Wealth?
Born on April 9, 1903, in Nebraska, Ward Bond was brought up in a small town near the Colorado and Kansas state lines with his sister, Bernice. Later in his teens, the family moved to Denver, Colorado, where he attended East High School. Upon graduating, he went to the Colorado School of Mines, before continuing his education at the University of Southern California, where he was an active member of the football team. He eventually graduated with a degree in engineering in 1931.
At the age of twenty-six, he landed his first acting role in the film Words and Music, though he ultimately didn’t make it into the credits. Ultimately, it wasn’t until later on, that he made his official debut in the 1929 motion picture, Salute. Striving to make himself known, he worked on several other titles over the next few years including Born Reckless, The Big Trail, and Conflict, to name a few. Unfortunately, it’s hard to know how much he was paid for the roles at this time.
By the early 1940s, Bond had an impressive resume, with dozens of film credits to his name. Some highlights include His Night Out, Waterfront, The Leathernecks Have Landed and Pride of the Marines. In the end, he would continue to appear on the big screen until his death in 1960. According to IMDb, he last appeared in Alias Jesse James in 1959.
Though he mainly appeared on film, the actor also worked on a considerable amount of television series during the 1950’s. For instance, he had appeared in the titles The Silver Theatre, Schiltz Playhouse, The Ford Television Theatre, General Electric Theater, Cavalcade of America and The Steve Allen Plymouth Show. At one point in 1952, he was also featured in an episode of the radio show, Family Theater. Considering everything, however, it’s likely that most of his wealth came from his work in Hollywood.
For his contributions to film, Bon received over a dozen Academy Award nominations throughout his career. In 1960, he passed away from a heart attack; he was 57 years old.
Ward Bond’s Personal Life and FAQ:
Was Ward Bond Married?
Yes, he was married twice. Up until his death, he was married to Mary Louise Meyers, who survived him. Previously, he was also married to Dori Sellers Childs from 1936 to 1944.
Did Ward Bond Have Any Children?
No, despite having been married twice, Ward Bond did not have any children.
Does Ward Bond Go to College?
Yes, he did. After attending the Colorado School of Mines, he went to the University of Southern California, where he was a member of the college football team. He later received a bachelor’s in engineering in 1931.
What is Ward Bond Famous For?
Ward Bond appeared in well over 200 television and film titles throughout his career. Some of his best-remembered roles include Captain Clayton in the western, The Searchers and in the comedy-drama, It’s a Wonderful Life.
Where Did Ward Bond Live? Photos of Ward Bond’s HouseÂ
At the time of his death, Ward Bond resided in Dallas, Texas, with his second wife. We do not have any pictures at this time.
What Kind of Car Did Ward Bond Drive?
This information is not available.
Ward Bond’s Untimely Passing
Despite having just rejuvenated his career in Wagon Train, the film actor died suddenly in his hotel room in 1960; he was 57 years old. Following his funeral, his ashes were later spread into the water.
He was survived by his second wife, Mary Louise May, whom he had wed in 1954, just six years prior.
